Dishwasher wash basket

ABSTRACT

A utensil basket for a dishwasher having a liquid distribution system. The utensil basket having a housing with individual utensil seats and a sprayer coupled to the liquid distribution system and emitting liquid onto the individual seats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Home appliances, such as a dishwasher for example, generally have a cabinet defining a treating chamber and having an opening through which dishes loaded/unloaded. A door opens to provide access to the opening, and closes to seal the opening. With the door closed, the interior of the dishwasher defines a dish treating chamber. The chamber comprises or is fluidly coupled to elements that dispense a treating chemistry such as dishwashing liquid or powder from a reservoir Dishwashers typically have one or more movable racks and wash baskets for carrying dishes during a wash cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One exemplary embodiment is a utensil basket for a dishwasher having a liquid distribution system. The utensil basket has a housing with individual utensil seats and a sprayer coupled to the liquid distribution system and emitting liquid into the seats.

Another exemplary embodiment is a dishwasher comprising a tub defining a wash chamber, a liquid recirculation system having a liquid supply tube, a dish rack provided within the wash chamber, and a wash basket carried by the dish rack. The wash basket has a housing comprising individual seats and a sprayer coupled to the liquid recirculation system that is configured to emit liquid into the seats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a dishwasher.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a utensil basket.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the utensil basket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wash basket.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wash basket.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an automated dishwasher 10. The dishwasher 10 shares many features of a conventional automated dishwasher, which will not be described in detail herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the invention. A chassis 12 may define an interior of the dishwasher 10 and may include a frame, with or without panels mounted to the frame. An open-faced tub 14 may be provided within the chassis 12 and may at least partially define a treating chamber 16, having an open face, for washing dishes. A door assembly 18 may be movably mounted to the dishwasher 10 for movement between opened and closed positions to selectively open and close the open face of the tub 14. Thus, the door assembly provides accessibility to the treating chamber 16 for the loading and unloading of dishes or other washable items.

It should be appreciated that the door assembly 18 may be secured to the lower front edge of the chassis 12 or to the lower front edge of the tub 14 via a hinge assembly (not shown) configured to pivot the door assembly 18. When the door assembly 18 is closed, user access to the treating chamber 16 may be prevented, whereas user access to the treating chamber 16 may be permitted when the door assembly 18 is open.

Dish holders, illustrated in the form of upper and lower dish racks 26, 28, are located within the treating chamber 16 and receive dishes for washing. The upper and lower dish racks 26, 28 are typically mounted for slidable movement in and out of the treating chamber 16 for ease of loading and unloading. Other dish holders may be provided, such as a silverware basket. As used in this description, the term “dish(es)” is intended to be generic to any item, single or plural, that may be treated in the dishwasher 10, including, without limitation, dishes, plates, pots, bowls, pans, glassware, and silverware.

A liquid distribution system is provided for spraying liquid in the treating chamber 16 and is provided in the form of a first lower spray assembly 34, a second lower spray assembly 36, a rotating mid-level spray arm assembly 38, and/or an upper spray arm assembly 40. Upper sprayer 40, mid-level rotatable sprayer 38 and lower rotatable sprayer 34 are located, respectively, above the upper dish rack 26, beneath the upper dish rack 26, and beneath the lower dish rack 28 and are illustrated as rotating spray arms. The second lower spray assembly 36 is illustrated as being located adjacent the lower dish rack 28 toward the rear of the treating chamber 16. The second lower spray assembly 36 is illustrated as including a vertically oriented distribution header or spray manifold 44. Such a spray manifold is set forth in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,594,513, issued Sep. 29, 2009, and titled “Multiple Wash Zone Dishwasher,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A recirculation system is provided for recirculating liquid from the treating chamber 16 to the spray system. The recirculation system may include a sump 30 and a pump assembly 31. The sump 30 collects the liquid sprayed in the treating chamber 16 and may be formed by a sloped or recess portion of a bottom wall of the tub 14. The pump assembly 31 may include both a drain pump 32 and a recirculation pump 33. The drain pump 32 may draw liquid from the sump 30 and pump the liquid out of the dishwasher 10 to a household drain line (not shown). The recirculation pump 33 may draw liquid from the sump 30 and the liquid may be simultaneously or selectively pumped through a supply tube 42 to each of the assemblies 34, 36, 38, 40 for selective spraying. While not shown, a liquid supply system may include a water supply conduit coupled with a household water supply for supplying water to the treating chamber 16.

A controller 50 may also be included in the dishwasher 10, which may be operably coupled with various components of the dishwasher 10 to implement a cycle of operation. The controller 50 may be located within the door 18 as illustrated, or it may alternatively be located somewhere within the chassis 12. The controller 50 may also be operably coupled with a control panel or user interface 56 for receiving user-selected inputs and communicating information to the user. The user interface 56 may include operational controls such as dials, lights, switches, and displays enabling a user to input commands, such as a cycle of operation, to the controller 50 and receive information.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of a wash basket, specifically a utensil basket 200. The utensil basket 200 comprises a housing 205 for holding individual utensils 206 in spaced relationship from each other. Although not required, the housing 205, as illustrated, generally has an open top and porous bottom to allow wash liquid to dissipate or drain through. The housing 205 supports or carries seats 210 for individual utensils 206. The seats 210 are generally considered the structure on the housing 205 supporting each individual utensil 206. As illustrated, the seats 210 are the area on housing 205 where each individual utensil 206 rests, separated by utensil separator 215. The housing carries a caddy 220 pivotable with respect to the housing 205 to allow for easy loading of individual utensils 206. As shown in this embodiment, the caddy 220 can carry the utensil separator 215, although it should be recognized that the utensil separator 215 could also be carried by the housing 205. The utensil separator 215 is engaged to both sides of the caddy 220 such that the utensil separator 215 will support cutlery or individual utensils carried by the seats 210. The housing 205 also carries a cover 240 pivotal relative to the housing 205. The cover 240 at least partially covers utensil seats 210 and is designed to protect the individual utensils 206 during the wash cycle. The design of the housing 205 is such that it supports both the caddy 220 and cover 240 and provides convenient loading of utensils for a user.

Sprayer 250 is also carried on housing 205 and can be coupled to the dishwasher's liquid distribution system for spraying or emitting liquid onto the utensil seats 210. The sprayer 250 comprises a manifold 255 for distributing liquid throughout the utensil basket 200. The manifold 255 can be carried by the housing 205 and may be separately attached or integrally molded to or with the housing 205. While not required, the sprayer 250 can have one or more spray nozzles 251 fluidly coupled to the manifold 255 and directed toward the seats 210. In a specific implementation each seat 210 can have a dedicated spray nozzle 251 directed toward it.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary system for connecting the utensil basket 200 to the dishwasher liquid delivery system. A secondary manifold system 312 can be carried by one of the dish racks 26, 28 in a predetermined position within the dish racks 26, 28. The secondary manifold system 312 can be configured to be integral to the dish racks 26, 28 or configured to be securely removably connected to one of the dish racks 26, 28 by mechanical connection. In either case, the secondary manifold system 312 removably couples to the dishwasher supply tube 42. In the example shown, the secondary manifold system 312 can be provided with a fluid coupling 317 that fluidly couples the secondary manifold system 312 to the supply tube 42 when the dish rack 26, 28 is slid in the dishwasher 10, and uncouples from the supply tube 42 when the rack 26, 28 is slid out of dishwasher 10. In this way, the dish rack 26, 28 to which the utensil basket 200 is connected fluidly connects to the dishwasher's liquid delivery system via supply tube 42.

The secondary manifold system 312 can have a diverter valve 320 integrally coupled therewith. While the illustrated example shows the diverter valve 320 being positioned near the back of the dish rack 26, 28, it could positioned in various other places on the dish rack 26, 28 without limiting the scope of the invention. The diverter valve 320 associated with the secondary manifold system 312 of the dish rack 26, 28 has a receiving port 325. The utensil basket 200 comprises a mounting port 330 configured to be received in the receiving port 325 on dish rack 26, 28 in a predetermined location. In this way, the manifold 255 of the utensil basket 200 selectively couples to the dish rack 26, 28, which selectively couples to the dishwasher's liquid distribution system via supply tube 42.

The diverter valve 320 can be mechanically opened when the utensil basket 200 is coupled the dishrack 26, 28 and the dishwasher 10 can be programmed with a cycle that provides liquid to the utensil basket 200 during a portion of a wash cycle. Alternatively, the dishwasher 10 can be programmed with a user activated cycle select which could provide liquid to the utensil basket 200 during a portion of a preprogrammed wash cycle. In an alternate embodiment, the dishwasher 10 could also be configured with one or more sensors to sense the connection of the utensil basket 200 to either one of the dish racks 26, 28. Upon sensing the presence of the utensil basket 200, the dishwasher 10 can be programmed with a cycle that provides liquid to the utensil basket 200 during a portion of a wash cycle. In addition, the diverter valve 320 can be configured to open or close at various places in the wash cycle.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of a wash basket 300 that has similarities with the utensil basket 200 of FIG. 2. Therefore, elements of the utensil basket 200 that are similar to the wash basket 300 are labeled with similar part numbers using the prefix 300. In this non-limiting example, the wash basket 300 comprises a housing 305 for holding glassware or stemware 306 in a spaced relationship from each other. Once again, while not required, the housing 305 as illustrated generally has an open top and bottom to allow wash liquid to dissipate or drain through. The housing 305 carries seats 310 for supporting individual stemware 306. Stemware separators 315 in the form of channels or grooves are positioned on housing 305 for carrying the stems of individual stemware. In an exemplary embodiment, the stemware separators 315 on the housing 305 are positioned above the seats 310 to allow wash water to drain out of the stemware upon completion of a wash cycle.

Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the housing 305 also carries a sprayer 350 coupled to the dishwasher's liquid distribution systems for spraying or emitting liquid into stemware and generally on and around seats 310. The sprayer 350 comprises a manifold 355 for distributing liquid throughout the wash basket 300. The manifold 355 can be carried by the housing 305 and may be separately attached or integrally molded to or with the housing 305. While not required, the sprayer 350 can have one or more spray nozzles 351 directed toward each seat 310 and specifically directed toward the inside of each stemware 306. In a specific implementation each seat 310 can have a dedicated spray nozzle 351 directed toward it.

Similar to the utensil basket 200 of FIG. 2 and as shown in FIG. 3, the wash basket 300 comprises a mounting port 330 configured to be received in receiving port 325 on dish rack 26, 28 in a predetermined location. In this way, the manifold 355 of the wash basket 300 selectively couples to the dish rack 26, 28, which selectively couples to the dishwasher's liquid distribution system via supply tube 42.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of a utensil basket 400 that also has similarities with the utensil basket 200 of FIG. 2. Therefore, elements of the utensil basket 200 that are similar to the utensil basket 400 are labeled with similar part numbers using the prefix 400. In this example, the utensil basket 400 once again comprises a housing 405 for holding individual utensils 406 in a spaced relationship from each other. While not required, the housing 405 generally has an open top perforated bottom to allow wash liquid to dissipate or drain through. The housing 405 carries seats 410 for supporting individual utensils 406. Utensil separators 415 protrude from the base of the housing 405 for separating each individual utensil 406.

Similar to the other embodiments, the housing 405 also carries a sprayer 450 coupled to the dishwasher's liquid distribution systems for spraying or emitting liquid generally on and around seats 410. The sprayer 350 comprises a manifold 455 for distributing liquid throughout the wash basket 400. The manifold 455 can be carried by the housing 405 and may be separately attached or integrally molded to or with the housing 405. While not required, the sprayer 450 can have one or more spray nozzles 451 directed toward each seat 410 and specifically directed toward both sides of each utensil 406. In a specific implementation each seat 410 can have a dedicated spray nozzle 451 directed toward it. In a non-limiting embodiment, utensil separators 415 may each carry a spray nozzle 451 directed toward an adjacent seat 410. It should be recognized that the manifold 455 and spray nozzles 451 could be set up in many ways without limiting the scope of the disclosure.

Like the utensil basket 200 in FIG. 2, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the utensil basket 400 can comprise a mounting port 330 configured to be received in receiving port 325 on dish rack 26, 28 in a predetermined location. In this way, the manifold 455 of the utensil basket 400 selectively couples to the dish rack 26, 28, which selectively couples to the dishwasher's liquid distribution system via supply tube 42.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A utensil basket for a dishwasher having a liquid distribution system, the utensil basket comprising: a housing having individual utensil seats; and a sprayer coupled to the liquid distribution system and emitting liquid into the seats.
 2. The utensil basket of claim 1 wherein the sprayer comprises spray nozzles, with at least one of the nozzles dedicated to one of the seats.
 3. The utensil basket of claim 2 wherein the sprayer comprises a manifold fluidly coupled to the spray nozzles.
 4. The utensil basket of claim 3 wherein the manifold is selectively coupled to the liquid distribution system.
 5. The utensil basket of claim 4 wherein a dish rack fluidly connects to the manifold and the liquid distribution system.
 6. The utensil basket of claim 1 wherein the housing is configured to be placed in a predetermined location on a dish rack within the dishwasher.
 7. The utensil basket of claim 1 wherein the housing is configured to support one of silverware and cutlery.
 8. The utensil basket of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a caddy pivotable to the housing, the seats formed in one of housing and caddy portions.
 9. The utensil basket of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a cover.
 10. The utensil basket of claim 9 wherein the cover selectively covers at least a portion of the individual seats.
 11. A dishwasher comprising: a tub defining a wash chamber; a liquid recirculation system having a liquid supply tube; a dish rack provided within the wash chamber; a wash basket carried by the dish rack; the wash basket having a housing comprising individual seats and a sprayer coupled to the liquid recirculation system and configured to emit liquid onto the individual seats.
 12. The dishwasher of claim 11 further comprising a sensor configured to sense a connection of the wash basket to the dish rack.
 13. The dishwasher of claim 12 wherein upon sensing the wash basket, the dishwasher provides liquid to the wash basket during a portion of a wash cycle.
 14. The dishwasher of claim 11 further comprising a user activated cycle select configured to provide liquid to the wash basket during a portion of a wash cycle.
 15. The dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the wash basket comprises a mounting port configured to be received in a receiving port on dish rack in a predetermined location.
 16. The dishwasher of claim 15 wherein the wash basket is configured to support one of silverware stemware, and cutlery.
 17. The dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the dish rack selectively couples wash basket to the liquid recirculation system.
 18. The dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the housing further comprises a caddy pivotable to the housing, the seats formed in one of housing and caddy portions.
 19. The dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the housing further comprises a cover.
 20. The dishwasher of claim 19 wherein the cover selectively covers at least a portion of the individual seats. 